I just saw on Fox News that Charles Shaw Chardonnay, commonly known as “Two Buck Chuck” because it sells for $1.99 at Trader Joe’s won top honors at the California State Fair wine competition, beating out hundreds of other wines. Go Chuck, go!

© 2007 – 2008, J. M. Erickson. All rights reserved.

“Thanks to TV and for the convenience of TV, you can only be one of two kinds of human beings, either a liberal or a conservative.”

© 2007 – 2008, J. M. Erickson. All rights reserved.

Here’s an article from Campus Ministry Update June 2007 published by Ivy Jungle:

“Porn Driven, Look-at-Me” Culture: The evidence of the mainstreaming of pornography is not hard to find in our culture today – from the provocative videos on YouTube to Myspace pages for adult film stars. Some researchers and observers continue to express concern over the impact on young people – particularly girls. “Sexiness” has become very important to girls, with an increasing push into raunchiness. High school counselors find themselves consoling teenage girls who have undressed and more in front of web cams. Employers are increasingly implementing dress codes. The American Psychological Association recently published a paper on the sexualization of girls. One great concern is that while boys tend to use pornography and other aspects of sex for their own pleasure; most girls who exhibit provocative behavior are doing so for the pleasure of someone else – often someone they don’t know well (or perhaps not at all thanks to the internet). Some women claim they have more power with their sexuality, but many researchers are seeing a very negative impact – especially among teenage girls. (AP June 4, 2007)

Here’s a semi-related photo I received via email some time ago:

© 2007 – 2008, J. M. Erickson. All rights reserved.

In a speech last week, Hillary Clinton said she wanted “shared prosperity”. I wonder, is “shared prosperity” a euphemism for “socialism”?

© 2007 – 2008, J. M. Erickson. All rights reserved.

In the May 3 GOP Presidential debate, Sen Sam Brownback was one of three who raised their hands to the question, “Is there anybody on the stage that does not believe in evolution?” This caused an outcry among atheists and some consternation in the main stream media. The atheist article claims that, “It’s not an issue where thoughtful people can disagree. You either believe in scientific certainty or you don’t.”¹ The exact same phrase the global warming alarmist use to kill debate on the subject.However, the debate is not closed. Sen Brownback offers one of the most lucid responses I’ve seen on the subject of faith and science.Thanks to John at The Daily Detour for raising the subject.

© 2007 – 2008, J. M. Erickson. All rights reserved.

1. Italics mine [↩]

Do you think you’re getting hosed at the gas pump? In 2005, gas companies reported record profits of $62 billion. Of course, over the same period, gas taxes totaled $71 billion.”Who’s the big gouger, now?” I ask.

© 2007 – 2008, J. M. Erickson. All rights reserved.

Quoted from the Campus Ministry Update from the Ivy Jungle:

Increasing Interest in Social Justice: As the election cycle heats up, both parties are taking notice of the increasing interest of younger Christian voters in a number of issues related to social justice. AIDS, poverty, and the environment are all of interest to a demographic long associated only with abortion and homosexual issues. One indicator is that evangelical Wheaton College (IL) boasts the second most active chapter of the Student Global AIDS Campaign – behind Harvard. Coupled with greater involvement by a number of campus ministries, today’s students see a very real connection between the gospel and social engagement. (Daily Northwestern April 25, 2007)

It remains to be seen, however, whether either party can get students to the polls.

© 2007 – 2008, J. M. Erickson. All rights reserved.

Jerry Falwell is dead. He died yesterday after being found in his office at Liberty University. Whether hated or loved¹ he made a giant impression on the political and religious attitudes of America. Here are a few links to relevant observations: all valid:

• From The Grassy Knoll
• Gary Varvel (Link no longer valid)
• The Daily Detour

I saved TDD for last as a reminder for Christians that we have two ways to present ourselves to the world: (1) As a judgment or (2) as a grace dispenser. The choice we make will have a serious affect on how the world perceives the God and Savior for which we are ambassadors.

© 2007 – 2009, J. M. Erickson. All rights reserved.

1. There was probably no in-between for those who knew (of) him [↩]

In case you missed it, the ACLU is suing the State of Indiana on behalf of Mark Studler because Indiana is not charging a $15.oo fee for the popular “In God We Trust” license plates. Rather than recap the entire “adventure” here, I’ll point you to two blogs that disagree on the reason for the lawsuit.

John at The Daily Detour says it’s about God.

Gary Varvel¹ says it isn’t.

Both think it’s ridiculous; so do I.

© 2007 – 2009, J. M. Erickson. All rights reserved.

1. link no longer valid [↩]

Have you ever noticed how some people always use certain adjectives with particular nouns? TV and TV news is famous for this practice, but we all do it. Here’s a partial list to get you started. How many can you come up with?

1. Innocent children. Why is it that children are always innocent? If you’ve ever had kids, you’ll know that this prase is entirely erroneous. Innocent victims is in the same category. To be fair, the “innocent” usually doesn’t refer to the child’s or victim’s moral or legal culpability. I usually means they didn’t deserve what happened to them
2. Nice cup of tea. As in, “Here, let me fix you a nice cup of tea.” This is mostly used in British novels and TV programs, but we Americans use it too. Why not just say, “A cup of tea?”
3. Good money. As in, “I gave good money for that truck and now it’s broke.” I don’t know how money can have moral character.
4. All new. This usually refers to episodes of programs on TV. It has a clever ring to it. It sounds better than, “New.” I guess they’re implying that the episode is 100% new as opposed to 25% new. What producer would only change 25% of a previous episode, anyway. Oh yeah, I forgot Lost.
5. Senseless violence. What violence makes sense anyway? Sheesh.
6. Random act of violence. Like the person committing the violence is committing it randomly. Even the shooter in the Jerk picked the name out of a phone book. Violence happens on purpose, folks, not randomly.

Ok, now it’s your turn. How many of these silly phrases can you come up with?

© 2007 – 2008, J. M. Erickson. All rights reserved.